navaratra,Sanskrit Navarātra (“nine nights”), in NavaratraSanskrit“nine nights”in Hinduism, a festival of nine days occurring during the month of Asin, or Aśvina Ashvina (September–October). It usually ends with the dasehra, or daśaharadashahara, celebration on the 10th day.

Among followers of the goddess DurgāDurga, who are particularly predominant in Bengal and Assam, the DurgāDurga-pūjā puja (“Rite of Durgā”Durga”) is celebrated during this period. Special images of Durgā Durga commemorating her victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahiṣāsura Mahishasura are worshiped daily, and, on the 10th day (dasehra), they are taken in jubilant processions to nearby rivers or reservoirs for immersion in water. In addition to family feasting and visiting, the puja, or ritual, days are also celebrated with public concerts, recitations, plays, and fairs.

In other parts of India, the 10th day, dasehra, is associated with the victory of the god Rāma Rama over the demon-king RāvaṇaRavana. In North India the Rām Līlā Ram Lila (“Play of Rāma”Rama”) is the highlight of the festival. On successive nights different episodes of the epic poem the RāmāyaṇaRamayanaare dramatized by young actors elaborately costumed and masked; the pageant is always climaxed by the burning of huge effigies of the demons. Athletic tournaments and hunting expeditions are often organized.

Many other, lesser observances are associated with the festival of navaratra Navaratra in varying ways across the country. On the first day of navaratraNavaratra, a rite is celebrated in honour of the goddess of learning, SarasvatīSarasvati, in which she is worshiped together with the sacred books of the house; this is a favourite observance among the Bengali population of India. In parts of MahārāshtraMaharashtra, the fifth day is given to the worship of the goddess Lalitā Lalita and is known as LalitāLalita-pañcamī panchami (“Lalitā’s “Lalita’s Fifth Day”).